Toru Oniki

Toru Oniki (鬼木 達, Oniki Tōru; born April 20, 1974) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He is the currently manager of J1 League club, Kashima Antlers.

Toru Oniki
鬼木 達

Personal information
Full name	Toru Oniki
Date of birth	(1974-04-20) 20 April 1974 (age 51)
Place of birth	Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
Height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Kashima Antlers (manager)
Youth career
1990–1992	Ichiritsu Funabashi High School
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1993–1999	Kashima Antlers	27	(1)
1998	→ Kawasaki Frontale (loan)	27	(1)
2000–2006	Kawasaki Frontale	133	(1)
Total		187	(3)
Managerial career
2010–2017	Kawasaki Frontale (assistant)
2017–2024	Kawasaki Frontale
2025–	Kashima Antlers
Medal record Kashima Antlers Winner J1 League 1996 Runner-up J1 League 1993 Runner-up J1 League 1997 Winner J.League Cup 1997 Runner-up J.League Cup 1999 Winner Emperor's Cup 1997 Runner-up Emperor's Cup 1993 Kawasaki Frontale Runner-up J1 League 2006 Runner-up J.League Cup 2000
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

Oniki was born in Funabashi on April 20, 1974. After graduating from high school, he joined Kashima Antlers in 1993. He played as mainly defensive midfielder. However he could not become a regular player behind Jorginho and Yasuto Honda. In 1998, he moved to Japan Football League club Kawasaki Frontale on loan. He played as regular player and the club won the 2nd place. In 1999, although he returned to Antlers, he could not play many matches. In 2000, he moved to newly promoted J1 League club, Kawasaki Frontale again. In 2000, he played many matches and the club won the 2nd place 2000 J.League Cup. Although the club finished at bottom place in the league and was relegated to J2 League, he became a regular player from 2001 season. Although his opportunity to play decreased from 2003, the club won the champions in 2004 and was promoted to J1 League. He could hardly play in the match from 2005 and he retired end of 2006 season.

Managerial career

After retirement, Oniki began his coaching career with Kawasaki Frontale in 2007. He mainly served as a coach for the top team until 2016. In 2017, he was named manager. During Oniki's tenure, the club would amass numerous titles, including four J1 League championships, two Emperor's Cups, and one J.League Cup.

Oniki officially announced he would depart as manager due to his contract expiring at the end of 2024 season.^[1] He was subsequently announced as the new manager of his former club, the Kashima Antlers, starting from the 2025 season.^[2]

Career statistics

Club

As of the end 2006 season.^[3]

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		League Cup		Total
1993	Kashima Antlers	J.League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1994			0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1995			4	0	0	0	—		4	0
1996			11	0	2	0	3	1	16	1
1997			5	0	0	0	3	0	8	0
1998	Kawasaki Frontale	Former JFL	27	1	3	1	3	0	33	2
1999	Kashima Antlers	J.League Div 1	7	1	0	0	3	0	10	1
2000	Kawasaki Frontale		21	1	0	0	7	0	28	1
2001		J.League Div 2	40	0	5	0	3	0	48	0
2002			39	0	5	0	—		44	0
2003			13	0	2	0			15	0
2004			19	0	0	0			19	0
2005		J.League Div 1	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2006			0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
Career total			187	3	17	1	23	1	227	5

Managerial statistics

As of 20 July 2025^[4]

Team	From	To	Record
			G	W	D	L	Win %
Kawasaki Frontale	1 February 2017	8 December 2024	393	216	98	79	054.96
Kashima Antlers	12 December 2024	present	28	17	3	8	060.71
Total			421	233	101	87	055.34

Honours

Manager

Kawasaki Frontale

• J1 League: 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021
• Emperor's Cup: 2020, 2023
• J.League Cup: 2019
• Japanese Super Cup: 2019, 2021, 2024